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davis.sw
Joined: 20 Mar 2010
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 Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:51 pm Post subject: Diploma Question |
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Hi all,
First post here and I greatly appreciate your help in figuring this out!
I will be graduating in June, and would like to start teaching this coming September. Now I realize that I am already behind schedule especially for public schools, but I'm trying to get this ball rolling as quickly as I can.
Because I am graduating in June, I obviously do not have my original diploma yet. According to my school I will not get my diploma for two months after I graduate (although I figure I may be able to get this fast tracked).
Is this a deal breaker for finding a job for September? I've heard I can send in documents showing that my degree is 'pending'. I would think that my chances of getting a public school job are largely diminished as hagwons, I would assume, may be more lax on the issue.
Thank you very much! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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The degree issue is not a school thing but an immigration one.
For a hakwon you CANNOT even start the paperwork for a visa without the degree in hand.
In a PS (EPIK) they MAY start the paperwork (with proof of degree completion) but you still need the parchment before you can start work.
For all practical purposes - no parchment = no visa.
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davis.sw
Joined: 20 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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Does this mean that my chances of securing a job now in a hagwon for September are essentially zero?
From what I understand from you telling me, I must first have my physical diploma, so that I can then get a visa, so that the hagwon can then start processing the paperwork using my visa. Is this correct?
Aside from that, anyone have any ideas what my chances are in public schools realistically? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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| davis.sw wrote: |
1) Does this mean that my chances of securing a job now in a hagwon for September are essentially zero?
2) From what I understand from you telling me, I must first have my physical diploma, so that I can then get a visa, so that the hagwon can then start processing the paperwork using my visa. Is this correct?
3) Aside from that, anyone have any ideas what my chances are in public schools realistically? |
1. Yes, that is what it means.
2. Not quite. You need the paperwork so the hakwon can apply for your "visa confirmation number". When they get it, you get it and then you take that along with your passport to the consulate and get your visa.
(read the visa section in the FAQs).
3. IF you have your degree AND you have no criminal convictions AND you are breathing then your chance for a PS in Sept is 99%. (somewhat less if you specifically want to be in Seoul)
Want to improve that even further, take an on-line TESOL /TEFL course. Your chances improve further AND you get an additional 100k per month bump in pay.
The on-line TEFL courses run from about $160-250 and take about a month to complete.
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davis.sw
Joined: 20 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:49 am Post subject: |
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ttompatz, thank you very much for your insight!
I've read through the visa sticky page and its starting to make sense, although its still a confusing process.
As of right now I suspect I have the following realistic choices ahead of me:
1. get into public school somewhere. (you mentioned that soul may be harder. Is this because the jobs are first come first serve and this is the dominantly preferred area?)
2. Wait until I have my diploma in hand and then try to get a job at a hagwon. (Are hagwons even looking in at the beginning of August still to hire? I would think my chances of working for a crappy hagwon significantly go up.)
3. Wait and apply for the second semester of the year. (grrrrr...this would blow)
Sound right? Any suggestions anyone has about what would be the most effective direction to take would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and I'm going as a couple with my girlfriend which I'm sure even more limits my options. We shall see what happens. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| davis.sw wrote: |
ttompatz, thank you very much for your insight!
I've read through the visa sticky page and its starting to make sense, although its still a confusing process.
As of right now I suspect I have the following realistic choices ahead of me:
1. get into public school somewhere. (you mentioned that soul may be harder. Is this because the jobs are first come first serve and this is the dominantly preferred area?)
2. Wait until I have my diploma in hand and then try to get a job at a hagwon. (Are hagwons even looking in at the beginning of August still to hire? I would think my chances of working for a crappy hagwon significantly go up.)
3. Wait and apply for the second semester of the year. (grrrrr...this would blow)
Sound right? Any suggestions anyone has about what would be the most effective direction to take would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and I'm going as a couple with my girlfriend which I'm sure even more limits my options. We shall see what happens. |
1) Seoul is harder because there are 5,000 applications and 2000 jobs.
Gyeonggi - GEPIK (the province surrounding (like a donut) Seoul) has 5,000 positions and 1500 applicants. The rest of the country EPIK - NIIED has 10,000 positions and 1000 applicants.
2) Hakwons hire YEAR ROUND. There is no peak for hagwons. It is continuous and voracious. Demand exceeds supply by about double.
The school I worked at back in '04, beautiful 4 story building with gym, putting green and swimming pool, gives teachers nice 1 bedroom apartments and is in a popular area of Suwon is always running about 4 teachers short of its requirements - just because it can't find them.
3) No need to worry or wait. There are ALWAYS public schools who didn't get their NET (not enough to go around) and need to recruit privately. Not as many as the peaks in Jan and June but still there.
4) the unemployment rate for NETs who meet the minimum requirements as mandated by immigration is 0%. If you qualify for an E2 there is a job waiting when you are ready.
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davis.sw
Joined: 20 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Ttompatz,
Thank you very much!
I was getting worried about my timing and it sounds like I should be ok.
That's interesting to hear about Seoul. I guess it really is just that popular!
Fortunately right now I'm looking at areas such as Bucheon and Bundang.
Thank you again for the help! |
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